Rugby club strives for success
My Nguyen
Issue date: 9/29/09 Section: Sports
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"We won two games in a row, and we lost three games by less than six points total," said Verga, a senior history major. "We had a lot of really close matches last year. We beat our rivals Santa Clara and they weren't happy about that ...
"Just a bunch of teams that thought they were going to run all over us like they used to. But we just brought the pain. We came back and made it real close matches."
Coach Dean White said the 20-17 win over Santa Clara was a boost in confidence for the club.
"SJSU hasn't beaten Santa Clara in 15 years," he said. "It was one heck of a way to end the season and we're planning to carry that forward to the 2009-2010 (season)."
Forward D.J. Avilucea said the team has a chance to win the Division-II title.
"From what I'm looking at, and from the way our team has progressed, and the look of the new guys, I think we can definitely go over .500 and be a playoff team," senior English major Avilucea said.
Traditionally, the team has relied on strength, Avilucea said.
"Over the last couple of years, we've been able to pick up quickness in our game, where we don't have to rely on pounding the ball in like we used to - although we still love to do that," he said. "We've come to a point where we have the ability, more like the luxury, to be able to spin the ball out to the back and get our speed guys going down."
White said the team improves every year, and this year is no exception.
"We're making students out of rugby - to learn the game just makes them that much better," he said. "I'm expecting great things from the team this year."
White said Rashad Colver is one of the keys to the team's success.
"Rashad Colver was selected for the Pacific Coast All-Star Team, (but) due to some physical issues, he was unable to attend those tryouts," he said. "He's a definite stand out in this club."
Colver leads by example by being disciplined in his training and staying focused during practice, White said.
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Ottawa Movers
posted 9/29/09 @ 9:42 AM PST
Quote:
"Rashad Colver was selected for the Pacific Coast All-Star Team, (but) due to some physical issues, he was unable to attend those tryouts," he said. (Continued…)
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